--- The first thing you notice is the slimness of the new models. The
PowerShot SD300 is 3.2 mm slimmer than its predecessor, the PowerShot SD110 (DIGITAL IXUS II s). They're
becoming more compact with every generation, aren't they? And I get the impression that they're also becoming
more clean-cut and handsome in appearance. Nabetani: Take a look at the rear too. The previous PowerShot DIGITAL ELPH series LCD has up to now been
a 1.5" screen, but in the SD300 and SD200, it's become 2". And yet the cameras are still this size.Sekita: And don't forget that the optical zoom too has been boosted from 2.0x to 3.0x.--- As a user, I can't help wondering how far this quest for compactness will go. Won't
cameras get more difficult to use if you take it too far? Nabetani: You're right. There's little point in excessive compactness from the usability perspective.
So how far do you go? My answer is: take compactness as far as you can in terms of the balance with usability
of the product as a tool for taking pictures.--- Yes, but what exactly is that balance? Nabetani: In the case of cameras, it means the positioning of the lens, viewfinder, shutter and so forth.
Also the position of the LCD. In fact, even where you position the tripod socket counts in achieving balance.--- Even the tripod socket? Nabetani: Yes. Take a look at an SLR, and you'll understand. The tripod socket is always positioned directly
below the lens axis center line, the reason being that attaching the tripod on that line minimizes the chance
for optical axis to become unsteady as a result of vibrations. There are even lens barrels with tripod stays
fitted to them.Sekita: It's also a good idea to place the viewfinder as near as possible to the lens. In SLRs, the image
you see in the finder is the one formed behind the lens, delivered via a prism, so it's exactly the same as the
shot taken, but in compact cameras, the lens and viewfinder are separate. As a result, the axis of the light
they receive will differ, especially at certain distances, and so the closer you can place the viewfinder to
the lens, the better.--- I see - so there's an ideal position for locating the viewfinder to frame accurately.
How about the shutter button position? Nabetani: You bet! After all, the shutter button is one of the most important controls.--- It's no good if you have to search for the shutter button, is it? Sekita: The shutter button should be neither too close to the edge, nor too far close to the center. If
it's difficult to press, you're more likely to produce camera shake.Nabetani: In the PowerShot SD300 and 200, we've combined zoom lever with shutter, so that you can shoot
with the same right-hand index finger in the instant you've set the zoom. We also paid a lot of attention to
shape and texture.--- I must admit it's very easy to shoot, and has a really classy feel. The PowerShot
SD300 and SD200 seem imbued with a legacy of decades of camera development.
| Nabetani: Film cameras boast a lot of outstanding features developed over many, many
years, and those features deserve to be passed on to digital cameras too, since in the end, whether it's
digital or film, a camera is still a camera, a tool for taking pictures. Canon has a history of over six
decades as a camera maker, and we can't afford to betray the company's great tradition and legacy built
up over all those years. It isn't enough just to make a camera smaller and slimmer.--- In short, you're aiming for compactness that in no way detracts from the quality
and usability of the camera. Nabetani: You could say it's a matter of principle to us as camera makers. We achieved the 3.0x
optical zoom and 19.5 mm depth (at the narrowest point thinnest section) by sticking to our principles
rather than compromising them. |
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 "We can't afford to betray Canon's great tradition and legacy
built up over all those years. It isn't enough just to make a camera smaller and slimmer." (Nabetani)
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